Machakos County has stepped up preparations for the forecast El Niño rains, with the county government and its partners strengthening early-warning systems and response measures to minimize the impact of possible floods and other emergencies.
Speaking while opening a Kenya Inter-Agency Rapid Assessment (KIRA) training at the Machakos Disaster Operations Centre, Governor Wavinya Ndeti said the county had already begun planning with various stakeholders, including the Kenya Red Cross Society, to ensure a coordinated response.
The preparations follow advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department warning of enhanced rainfall across several parts of the country during the October to December season and possibly extending to January 2027 with potential flooding, landslides, and disease outbreaks in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
She said the training was part of the county’s preparedness measures and would equip different departments with the skills required to respond effectively to emergencies associated with heavy rainfall.
“Machakos County and our partners have already started planning, and we are here for this training to ensure we are ready for the task ahead. We are well prepared. Just as we handled the floods last time, we will continue working closely with the Red Cross,” said Wavinya.
The governor urged residents living in flood-prone areas, near riverbanks, and in low-lying areas to heed weather advisories and take precautions before the rains intensify.
She also cautioned residents against crossing flooded rivers and urged parents and guardians to pay particular attention to children during the holiday period.
Machakos County Director of Meteorological Services Dominic Kyalo said the county is expecting above-average rainfall, with the onset forecast for the third or fourth week of October 2026 and the rains expected to continue until January 2027.
Kyalo said rainfall would be fairly distributed across the county, with most areas expected to receive more than 300 millimeters, while Kola Ward and some areas are expected to receive more than 600 millimeters.
He identified Mavoko as particularly vulnerable to flooding because of its low-lying terrain and the volume of water flowing into the area from Nairobi and its environs.
“There is also a possibility of mudslides from the hilly areas of Machakos, and residents should remain alert,” he said.
The meteorological department is working with the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), the county government, and technical teams from departments including Agriculture, Livestock, and Health to prepare a Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) framework.
The initiative combines weather forecasts with PSP to guide communities, particularly farmers, on how to prepare for and respond to anticipated weather conditions.
Kyalo said the Meteorological Department was also working with the Kenya Red Cross Society, Agriculture, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Police, and Water and Sanitation departments and other stakeholders to clear drainage systems and undertake measures around dams and water weirs ahead of the rains.
He urged residents in low-lying areas to consider relocating to safer ground before the onset of the rains, warning that prolonged rainfall could saturate the soil and increase the risk of flooding and landslides.
The Kenya Red Cross Society has also increased its preparedness in the county.
Regional Director George Ndolo, who spoke during the opening of KIRA, said the organization had increased the number of response teams and was pre-positioning emergency supplies closer to areas considered vulnerable to flooding.
“We have already started mobilizing our equipment to high-rainfall-prone areas and increasing our response teams. I urge those living in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground, strengthen their buildings, and keep their documents and food safe,” said Ndolo.
He urged residents to secure important documents and valuables, repair buildings in poor condition, and take early action rather than wait until the rains cause emergencies.
Ndolo also reminded residents that the Red Cross toll-free emergency number, 1199, is available for those requiring assistance.
Machakos Red Cross Coordinator Faith Khavuli said their organisation was training community volunteers in aqua rescue, including diving skills, to strengthen the ability of local communities to respond to water-related emergencies.
She said lessons from previous floods had demonstrated the importance of preparedness, timely communication, and early-warning messages.
“We have learnt from previous floods that preparation and communication are key during disasters. Having participatory messages enables communities to be proactive,” said Khavuli.
The Red Cross is working with the county government to identify areas that have previously experienced flooding, particularly in Mavoko, Kangundo, and Matungulu, with the aim of reducing the risk of repeat disasters.
Khavuli said teams were also conducting community training and awareness campaigns on early-warning signs.
Together with the county government and the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the organization is undertaking pegging and marking along rivers in parts of Mavoko.
The markings are intended to guide communities living near rivers on danger levels and indicate when residents should move to safer areas.
Agriculture is another major area of concern as the county prepares for the rains.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Dr. Joel Nzomo said farming remains one of the largest sources of employment in Machakos and urged farmers to complete planting by October 15.
He recommended dry planting, particularly in areas with clay soils, which can become difficult to work once heavy rains begin.
Nzomo also called on farmers to strengthen soil and water conservation measures by excavating and repairing terraces, cutoff ditches, and gullies.
Livestock farmers were encouraged to establish fodder plots and plant suitable pasture and fodder varieties, including Boma Rhodes, Juncao, Ndata Kivumbu, Mbweetwa, and sugar-grass sorghum.
Fish farmers were advised to harvest rainwater for their ponds, stock them with catfish and tilapia, and strengthen pond embankments and spillways before the heavy rains begin.
To support food production, Dr. Nzomo said the county government plans to procure and distribute 40 tonnes of free maize, bean, and pigeon pea seeds.
The county will also continue registering farmers to access subsidized fertilizer through the National Cereals and Produce Board depots in Machakos, Kithimani, and Tala.
For residents in areas that have experienced flooding in the past, the forecast rains are a source of concern.
Judy Karingo, a resident of Syokimau and chairperson of the Mavoko Alliance Residents Association (MARA), said residents had experienced flooding even during normal rainy seasons because of the area’s low-lying terrain.
She said a river flowing from the airport towards Syokimau had affected residents living along the waterway, with some structures built close to the river and on riparian land.
Karingo welcomed the ongoing efforts by national and county government agencies to peg areas along rivers and clear drainage systems, saying residents hoped the exercise would provide a lasting solution.
“The government should have been here earlier to do the pegging and marking of riparian lands. We have been calling them for a while, and we hope now that they are here they will establish who is on riparian land and who is not. After marking, we are ready for the bulldozer to create a way for the river,” said Karingo.
She said residents were prepared to support measures aimed at reducing the flood risk, including the removal of structures obstructing waterways or the creation of alternative routes for the river.
As the county awaits the onset of the heavy rains, authorities and residents are now banking on early preparation, accurate weather information, and coordinated response to reduce the potential impact of flooding, landslides, and other emergencies associated with heavy rainfall.
By Anne Kangero
